11 Day Kruger and Botswana Cycle Tour

11 Day Tour

Botswana

South Africa

Looking for a completely different safari experience? Have a passion for cycling? Why not combine the two! Cycling Tours have been increasing in popularity over the last couple of years and where better that to go on an bike adventure than through the amazing Kruger Park. This tour gives you the perfect opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful areas around Kruger and Johannesburg, as well as having a truly unique safari experience. On top of this you will take part in a fascinating mobile tented safari into beautiful Botswana.

Tour Details

Tour Includes

• Transportation in air­conditioned vehicle

Registered, professional guides

All accommodation (DBB)

Gate and entrance fees KNP

Game drives ­ open vehicles

Cycle safaris with armed rangers

Bourke’s Luck entrance fees

Guided tour Blyde River Canyon

Moholoholo Rehab Centre Tour

Swadini Dam boat trip

Bike hire

Conservation fees

Mapungubwe entrance fees

All other walks/cycling

Your own personal Cycle Tour shirt to take home with you.

Tour Excludes

International Flights

Drinks

Items of a personal nature

Tips

Visa Fees

Accommodation

2 Nights Moholoholo Forest Camp

2 Nights Sefapane Lodge

2 Nights Mopani Bush Lodge

3 Nights Mobile Tented Safari

1 Night Mashovela Lodge

Price Guide

Prices depend on group size please enquire

Minimum Group Size 6 People

Itinerary

On your arrival, your guide will collect you at the airport. You will travel via the PANORAMA ROUTE Dullstroom and Lydenburg. Continue along the dramatic Eastern Escarpment of the Drakensberg ("Dragon Mountains"). Visit Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon for spectacular views of the Blydepoort Dam and the Three Rondavels. Arrive at your overnight accommodation in time for refreshments and a game drive. Moholoholo Forest Camp with its comfortably cool and spacious rooms invites you to relax for a while after the long flight, whilst watching from the shady veranda as animals and birds come to drink at the waterhole below. In the late afternoon, the ranger invites you to join him on a game drive and explains the animals and birds that you see along the way.

After coffee and rusks, take an early morning bush walk, followed by breakfast. Visit the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and learn about its work with the animals and birds it is treating. One of the guides leads you through the Centre and shows you the birds and animals that are currently in Moholoholo’s care. An afternoon cycle is an option or alternatively you can take a boat trip on the Swadini Dam. Enjoy an evening game drive in search of Africa's nocturnal wildlife, followed by dinner under the stars if the weather is agreeable.
Possibly a cycling tour ca. 20 kms, degree of difficulty 3/10

After breakfast you will depart for Orpen Gate & take a slow drive through Kruger National Park towards the Phalaborwa Gate where you spend your next two nights at Sefapane Lodge adjacent to the Phalaborwa Gate. Sefapane Lodge is set within a tropical bush garden which is home to large indigenous trees such as the Mopani, Marula and Boabab. The lush gardens and the four surrounding lakes make for excellent birdwatching opportunities. In the afternoon go for a leisurely stroll with your binoculars, have a good meal in the restaurant or cool off in the swimming pool.

Its an early start to the day as you enter the Park at the Phalaborwa Gate and proceed to the drop off point. The potential to cycle into the big 5 (Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, Lion, Leopard) is ever present, so the number of guests is limited to 6. You will be fully briefed before setting off on your ride. The terrain is rough so you will have to be fairly fit as you will be going over rocks, soft sand & through Mopani trees. The route is approximately 20 km & traverses between the Tsutsi River and Sable Dam in the Kruger Park. This takes about 4 hours. You will be provided with breakfast & water on the safari. Once back at the lodge, a sparkling pool beckons the riders. Non cyclists can take a stroll through Phalaborwa or go to visit the Amarula factory if they choose.
Cycling ca. 20 kms, degree of difficulty 6/10

An early morning walk is planned for today – the Park Rangers will entertain and impress you with their expansive knowledge on the flora and fauna of the Kruger National Park. Depart Sefapane Lodge & stop for lunch at a huge Baobab tree before continuing towards your overnight stop. You travel in the direction of Musina & on to Mopani Bush Lodge, a private nature reserve close to the World Heritage Site of Mapungubwe. This entire area is earmarked for inclusion in the enormous Transfrontier Conservation Areas of Greater Mapungubwe and Greater Limpopo. Mopane Bush Lodge is the ideal base for exploration of the Mapungubwe National Park and Mapungubwe World Heritage Site, a rich Cultural Landscape in both heritage and scenic beauty. This exclusive, four star lodge provides gracious living and fine dining with true South African warmth and hospitality. Mopane Bush Lodge is personally managed and hosted by its owners and their management team, constantly ensuring attentive service and an authentic African experience, true to the hallmark of a classic safari...fellowship, fine food and the adventures of the day retold while seated around a flickering fire.

This morning you will visit the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site and National Park, one of the richest archaeological sites in the country. You will be able to learn how people lived in this area 800 to 1000 years ago. You will be spending a couple of hours cycling on the private nature reserve today. Riding in amongst the many massive, centuries old baobab trees, you will have ample opportunities to admire the scenery that is dominated by bizarre rock formations. Whilst you ride, look out for plains game and birds that may cross your path. Bushman paintings – San Rock Art is an afternoon option. Fascinating stories told, around the Bushman spiritual world. Well worth a visit, less than 5km down the road. In the evening you will savour our sundowners once again amongst the impressive baobab trees.
Cycling ca. 15 kms, degree of difficulty 5/10

You meet our guide on the South African side at Pont Drift Border Post at 13h00. Once done with border formalities, you prepare your bikes, load the support vehicle and enjoy a light lunch. Then you bike to your first wilderness camp. After an exhilarating afternoon ride you arrive to chilled drinks, a hot bucket shower and a wholesome dinner. Tour temporary, low impact, fully equipped wilderness camp provides for an unforgettable night's rest after a hard day's cycle. Meals are prepared on open fires. Starlit skies and night sounds will awaken your senses, and a night under canvas will inspire your instincts.
Cycling +/ 15 kms, degree of difficulty 7/10

After a night under the stars, awake early to fresh brewed coffee and breakfast, prepare bikes and head off to uncharted terrains. Discover new skills as rocky outcrops, sandy riverbeds and open plains test biking abilities. Ypu’ll break for a tea/drinks stop along the route and arrive back at camp for lunch. A welcome afternoon siesta follows. The late afternoon will bring the chance to ride or drive to a nearby sundowner point.
Cycling +/ 20 kms, degree of difficulty 7/10

Today brings a new dawn and you bike out towards Kgotla, your last camp. Testing terrain and changing landscapes make for a great ride. A pasta lunch and hot showers welcome weary legs and an opportunity to sit back, relax and savour that sense of achievement. After an afternoon of leisure, you head off for a short walk to a nearby cliff for a sundowner. Return to an open fire prepared meal, fireside stories and a restful night's sleep under the stars concludes the safari on a high.
Cycling +/ 20 kms, degree of difficulty 7/10

After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Pont Drift by 11:00 and carry on to your last stop in the Soutpansberg. Enjoy the unique atmosphere of Mashovhela Lodge in Morning Sun Nature Reserve, sited between cliffs where Black Eagle's nest. This Natural Heritage Site is situated in the scenic, malaria free Soutpansberg Mountains of the Limpopo Province in South Africa. Savour the natural beauty and the Venda culture of dance, drums, secret forests and lakes, unique mythology and the magic of the sacred Mashovhela rock pool. Let the friendly staff pamper you whilst you relax in the cozy Venda style lodge, which is recognized for its ecofriendly principles, sustainable energy usage all at an affordable rate. In the afternoon, take a stroll to the sacred lake of the Venda people and if the time allows, visit a spectacular spot high on a rocky hill for sundowners. In the evening you will be treated to the dancing & music of the local villagers.